No doubt about it - Christmas creeps up on us just that much faster each year, don't you think? Every year, us POMs (Brits) always muse (occasionally with a 'soupcon' of a whinge) about how Christmas in Australia just isn't the same. Not just because of the weather.

Politicians do a disservice to the public to pretend otherwise. It is possible to celebrate difference while encouraging cohesion, but that is not by - out of fear or misplaced respect - ignoring the symbols that divide. It is possible to laud tolerance while criticizing those (flag-wavers?) who undermine it.

The chestnuts are roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost is nipping at your nose. Before the choir arrive with the Yuletide carols, it's time to get the Christmas tree in. There's really nothing better than a real Christmas tree for giving the house a festive spirit.

'Tis the season to creep about the attic hunting down a box no-one bothered to write 'Xmas' on 12 months ago. Traditionally, this is followed by the much-loved 'it looks squint to me' debate; a long, sour silence over whose responsibility it was to check the lights BEFORE they went on the tree; and, my particular favourite, competitive bauble re-positioning.